Meghan Neville 10/29/24 Meghan Neville 10/29/24

How Hands-On Lab Training Accelerates Your DevOps Learning Curve

In this article, we’ll explore why hands-on labs are so effective and how they can drastically improve your DevOps skills.

DevOps is a fast-paced, dynamic field where theoretical knowledge alone is rarely enough to succeed. To truly master the skills needed in this industry, hands-on experience is essential.

Hands-on lab training offers a practical, immersive way for DevOps engineers to accelerate their learning curve and become job-ready faster.

In this article, we’ll explore why hands-on labs are so effective and how they can drastically improve your DevOps skills.

1. Real-World Problem Solving

Learning by Doing

In DevOps, engineers face complex, real-world challenges daily. Hands-on labs simulate these real-life tasks, such as configuring a Kubernetes cluster, troubleshooting cloud infrastructure, or setting up CI/CD pipelines. This experience allows engineers to actively solve problems rather than passively learn concepts.

Why It Matters

Theoretical knowledge can only take you so far. Working on actual infrastructure and handling real problems solidifies what you’ve learned, ensuring you can apply those skills when it matters most—on the job.

Example: Many engineers use Brokee’s hands-on labs to practice AWS, Azure, and DevOps tasks that mirror real job environments.

Whether you’re an entry-level engineer or preparing for a new role, Brokee’s labs provide practical experience that accelerates your job readiness.

*Brokee offers several labs and tests to practice DevOps and cloud skills, including Azure: Blob Challenge and Azure: Load Balancer*

2. Builds Confidence for Day-One Readiness

Hands-On = Confidence

Many engineers struggle with confidence during their first few months on the job because they’ve never had the chance to apply what they learned in real scenarios. Hands-on labs give engineers the opportunity to practice these skills repeatedly until they are fully confident in their abilities.

Why It Matters

Confidence in your DevOps skills from day one can drastically shorten onboarding time and increase your productivity early in your career.

Companies often prefer candidates who have hands-on experience with the tools and technologies they use.

3. Mastering Tools and Platforms

Get Familiar with Industry-Standard Tools

Hands-on labs allow engineers to get comfortable using critical DevOps tools like Terraform, Ansible, Docker, Jenkins, and cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP.

Lab environments replicate real job tasks, so engineers can focus on mastering specific tools while understanding how they integrate into larger workflows.

Why It Matters

Becoming proficient with tools is crucial for DevOps roles. Hands-on labs provide the chance to not only learn new tools but to also understand how they function in complex environments.

Example: Engineers can practice setting up a continuous integration pipeline using Jenkins, deploy a containerized application with Kubernetes, or automate infrastructure with Terraform in a lab environment before applying these skills in production.

Read More: The Top DevOps Tools in 2024

4. Safe Environment to Make Mistakes

Learning Without the Pressure

One of the greatest advantages of hands-on lab training is the ability to make mistakes without real-world consequences.

In an actual job setting, errors can lead to downtime, security risks, or financial losses. In a lab, engineers can experiment, fail, and learn without the pressure of damaging live environments.

Why It Matters

The freedom to experiment helps engineers learn faster. They can try different approaches, discover what works, and learn from failures—all without impacting actual projects.

5. Speeds Up the Learning Curve

Accelerating Skill Development

Hands-on labs enable faster learning by giving engineers instant feedback. Instead of reading through documentation and theory, they can immediately see the results of their actions in the lab environment.

This kind of real-time feedback significantly speeds up the learning process, as engineers can adjust their approach on the fly.

Why It Matters

Learning by doing accelerates mastery of concepts and tools. Engineers gain a deep understanding of how different DevOps practices work together, which ultimately helps them become proficient more quickly than with theoretical learning alone.

6. Preparing for Certifications

Practical Experience for Exams

Certifications like AWS DevOps Engineer, Microsoft Azure DevOps, or Google Cloud Professional DevOps Engineer require not just theoretical knowledge, but also practical understanding. Hands-on labs prepare engineers for these exams by allowing them to practice the exact scenarios they’ll be tested on.

Why It Matters

While studying for certifications is important, real-world practice is what truly prepares you to pass the exams and apply the knowledge in the workplace. Hands-on labs give you the confidence and experience to tackle even the most challenging certification questions.

Example: In an AWS hands-on lab, engineers can set up auto-scaling groups, configure CloudWatch for monitoring, and use Lambda for automation—real-world tasks that they’ll likely face on the AWS DevOps Engineer certification exam.

7. Gaining Practical Job Experience

Simulate the Job Environment

Hands-on labs not only prepare engineers for exams but also simulate day-to-day job tasks.

These labs mirror the exact work you’ll do in a DevOps role, such as deploying cloud infrastructure, setting up monitoring systems, or configuring secure environments. The more practice you get, the more comfortable you’ll be when performing these tasks in a live environment.

Why It Matters

This kind of real-world experience is what hiring managers look for. By practicing in labs, engineers can demonstrate they are ready to step into a role without needing extensive on-the-job training.

Conclusion

Hands-on lab training is an invaluable tool for accelerating the DevOps learning curve.

Whether you're mastering tools, preparing for certifications, or gaining real-world job experience, these labs provide the perfect environment to learn by doing.

We currently offer 3 free labs for engineers (no credit card needed!), and after that, you can have access to our unlimited testing library for only $9 per month. Try Brokee risk-free today!

The practical experience gained from our labs will significantly boost your confidence, shorten onboarding time, and make you job-ready from day one.

Meghan Neville 10/16/24 Meghan Neville 10/16/24

Mastering Azure DevOps: Top Training Resources and Certifications to Kickstart Your Career

As businesses increasingly move to cloud-native solutions, mastering Azure DevOps has become essential for engineers aiming to boost their careers.

Whether you're starting your journey or looking to advance your skills, here’s a guide to the best Azure DevOps training resources and certifications that will help you stand out in this fast-growing field.

As businesses increasingly move to cloud-native solutions, mastering Azure DevOps has become essential for engineers aiming to boost their careers.

1. Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert

What It Is

The Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification is one of the most recognized credentials for Azure DevOps engineers. It validates your ability to combine people, processes, and technologies to deliver continuously improved products and services.

What You’ll Learn

How to design and implement DevOps processes
Using version control systems like Git
Implementing CI/CD pipelines
Managing infrastructure using Azure DevOps and tools like Terraform and Ansible

Why It’s Important

This certification proves you can create and implement strategies that improve software development lifecycles, a critical skill for Azure DevOps engineers.

Recommended Resources:

Microsoft Learning Path: Free modules on the official Microsoft site provide a structured learning path to pass the certification.
Whizlabs and Udemy Courses: These platforms offer in-depth preparation courses for this certification.

2. AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions

What It Is

AZ-400 is the exam required to earn the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification. It covers designing and implementing DevOps practices for infrastructure, CI/CD, security, and compliance.

What You’ll Learn

How to integrate source control and implement continuous integration
Strategies for automating deployments and scaling infrastructure
Monitoring cloud environments and managing incidents effectively

Why It’s Important

Passing this exam is crucial for anyone aiming to specialize in Azure DevOps. It showcases your ability to manage full lifecycle DevOps processes in Azure environments.

Recommended Resources:

Microsoft Learn: This free resource offers structured modules and practice tests.
Udemy: The AZ-400 Exam Preparation Course is a highly rated resource for detailed exam preparation.

3. LinkedIn Learning: Azure DevOps for Beginners

What It Is

This LinkedIn Learning course is an excellent introduction for beginners to Azure DevOps, covering the basics of using the platform for continuous delivery, infrastructure management, and monitoring.

What You’ll Learn

Setting up an Azure DevOps environment
Managing code repositories with Git
Implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure Pipelines

Why It’s Important

If you’re new to DevOps or just getting started with Azure, this course provides a solid foundation for understanding the tools and practices needed to succeed.

Recommended Resources:

LinkedIn Learning Subscription: Offers access to this and thousands of other related courses.

4. Pluralsight: Azure DevOps Fundamentals

What It Is

Pluralsight offers an in-depth course that covers core Azure DevOps concepts, including project management, version control, and pipeline automation.

What You’ll Learn

How to manage Azure DevOps organizations, projects, and teams
Configuring CI/CD pipelines for automated builds and deployments
Automating infrastructure with Terraform and Azure Resource Manager

Why It’s Important

For those who already have a basic understanding of DevOps, this course dives deeper into Azure-specific functionalities, preparing you for hands-on work with Azure projects.

Recommended Resources:

Pluralsight Subscription: Provides unlimited access to this course and other DevOps-related content.

5. Azure DevOps Hands-On Labs

What It Is

Hands-on labs offer practical, real-world experience by simulating real tasks and challenges within Azure DevOps environments. Labs allow engineers to practice and test their knowledge in controlled scenarios that mirror actual job tasks.

Why It’s Important

Nothing beats hands-on experience when learning new tools. Labs allow engineers to practice and refine their skills by working on real-world problems, making them invaluable for both beginners and those preparing for certifications.

Recommended Resources:

Brokee DevOps Assessments: Brokee offers real-world cloud-based assessments that simulate job environments, helping engineers practice hands-on Azure DevOps tasks and allowing companies to assess candidates' proficiency in real-time.

6. GitHub Learning Lab: CI/CD with GitHub Actions and Azure

What It Is

GitHub Learning Lab provides an interactive guide to integrating GitHub Actions with Azure for CI/CD pipelines. It's a great way to learn how to automate workflows and deployments using GitHub alongside Azure DevOps.

What You’ll Learn

Automating code builds and deployments with GitHub Actions
Integrating GitHub repositories with Azure environments
Best practices for implementing automated workflows in cloud environments

Why It’s Important

With many organizations using GitHub for code management, this course equips you with the skills to merge GitHub's powerful automation tools with Azure's cloud infrastructure.

Recommended Resources:

GitHub Learning Lab: Free access to interactive, self-paced courses.

Conclusion

Azure DevOps is a critical skill set for anyone entering the cloud engineering space, and mastering it requires both theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

By leveraging the right training resources and certifications, you can position yourself for success in a competitive job market.

Meghan Neville 10/9/24 Meghan Neville 10/9/24

Top 10 SRE Tools Every DevOps Engineer Should Know About

As a DevOps engineer, knowing the right tools for the job is essential to managing and optimizing complex infrastructures.

Let's explore the top 10 SRE tools every DevOps engineer should be familiar with.

Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) plays a crucial role in ensuring systems are reliable, scalable, and performant.

Automating routine tasks and operational procedures with Rundeck reduces human error, speeds up incident resolution, and allows SREs to focus on more strategic tasks, all while maintaining system reliability.

Conclusion

Mastering these tools will equip any DevOps engineer or SRE to manage and scale infrastructures with confidence.

From monitoring and observability with Prometheus and Grafana, to automating infrastructure and workflows with Terraform and Ansible, each tool plays a pivotal role in ensuring system reliability and efficiency.

Want to hone your ability to use SRE tools? Brokee’s assessments incorporate real-world tasks using these essential SRE tools, helping engineers hone their skills and allowing companies to evaluate candidates’ hands-on proficiency.

Meghan Neville 8/22/24 Meghan Neville 8/22/24

✨New Features Drop at Brokee

This month, Brokee team releases assesment badges, candidate ranking, Ansible test, and testing insights.

This month, we’ve been feeling inspired. Over the past year, we’ve received invaluable feedback on how to enhance our DevOps assessment platform, and we’ve been hard at work making those improvements a reality.

We'll explore the latest features, which include a new test that many of you have been asking for!

Follow-Up Interview Questions: Save Time on Interviews

Hiring managers can now spend less time preparing for tech interviews. Once candidates complete their tests, our platform automatically generates follow-up questions based on their performance.

These tailored questions help hiring managers dive into the right areas during post-assessment interviews, significantly streamlining the process.

Benchmarking Stats: See How Your Hiring Pipeline Compares

Curious about how your hiring pipeline measures up against industry standards?

We’ve introduced new benchmarking features that provide both global and local test statistics.

You can now see which tests are the most popular, average completion times, and how your candidates perform compared to others. This allows you to gauge the quality of your hiring pipeline with data-driven insights.

Ansible Test: Evaluate Candidates' Skills in Automated Configuration Management

We’re thrilled to introduce our latest test: Ansible!

This test is designed to evaluate candidates' ability to configure and automate systems using Ansible, a widely-adopted configuration management tool.

It’s an excellent way to assess whether candidates have the hands-on experience needed to automate tasks like executing commands and editing files efficiently.

Introducing our latest test: Ansible

Candidate Ranking: Discover How You Stack Up

Our new candidate ranking feature gives both candidates and hiring managers insights into how they compare to others.

Candidates can see where they stand among their peers, while hiring managers can easily identify top performers in the broader talent pool. This makes it easier to spot standout candidates quickly.

Candidate insights now show rankings

Assessment Badges: Showcase Your Testing Achievements

Candidates who successfully pass tests can now earn badges to display proudly on LinkedIn.

These badges serve as a public acknowledgment of their skills and accomplishments, allowing them to showcase their expertise to potential employers and their professional network.

Candidates can show off their test success through badges on LinkedIn

Customized Company Tests: Tailored Assessments for Your Team

In addition to our standard tests, we now offer customized company tests. If your organization has a specific hiring test that works for your team but lacks the time to manage it, we can fully automate it on our platform.

This allows you to enjoy a seamless hiring experience with a tailored solution that meets your unique needs.

Candidate Dashboard: Track Progress with Enhanced Metrics

We’ve improved our candidate dashboard based on user feedback.

Now, instead of just showing the number of questions answered, the dashboard displays a completion percentage, making it easier for HR managers and candidates to assess progress at a glance.

This enhancement provides clearer insights into performance and makes comparisons more straightforward.

Give Brokee a Try: Free Assessments for Companies and Individuals

We’re eager for you to explore all the new features, tests, and improvements we’ve rolled out.

Interested in learning more or requesting a specific test or feature? We’d love to hear from you—reach out today!

And don’t forget, you can try Brokee before you buy! We offer companies 5 free assessments to streamline their hiring process, and individuals can access 3 free assessments to practice and refine their skills.

Meghan Neville 8/6/24 Meghan Neville 8/6/24

Empowering Cloud Careers at Level Up in Tech: How Brokee Elevated a Top DevOps Bootcamp

Level Up in Tech wanted to enhance their cloud training program by providing students with more practical, hands-on experience.

About the Client

Level Up in Tech is a Cloud Career Bootcamp dedicated to helping individuals transition and advance their careers in the cloud. They specialize in providing hands-on experience, coaching, and career development for those looking to break into the cloud industry.

Level Up in Tech’s founder, Broadus Palmer, has extensive experience in cloud technologies and education, having taught on platforms like A Cloud Guru. Recently, we named Level Up in Tech one of the top bootcamps for DevOps, highlighting their excellence in the field.

Our relationship with Level Up in Tech began in March, when one of their former students shared Brokee's platform with Broadus. Intrigued by the platform, Broadus engaged in discussions with us about its applications for training his students.

The Challenge

Level Up in Tech aimed to improve their cloud training program by offering students more practical experience. While they already had some hands-on solutions, they were looking for an innovative way to provide cloud experience without the complexities and costs of actual cloud service providers.

They also wanted labs that could simulate real-world IT infrastructure challenges, better preparing their students - many from non-technical backgrounds - for job interviews and the demands of cloud engineering roles.

The Solution

Brokee’s comprehensive and interactive skill-testing platform mirrors real-world IT infrastructure challenges, enabling students to practice and demonstrate their cloud skills in a risk-free environment.

Broadus Palmer, impressed by the platform, decided to integrate it into Level Up in Tech's curriculum. We provided them with credits to test the platform, leading to the development of tailored tests focusing on AWS, Terraform, and other cloud-related topics. The tests range in difficulty, catering to both beginners and more advanced students.

Level Up in Tech used Brokee’s platform to facilitate collaborative group sessions, enabling students to work together on solving problems. They also use Brokee’s assessments at the end of courses to showcase students’ progress and achievements in DevOps.

The Benefits

Integrating Brokee into Level Up in Tech’s curriculum has yielded numerous benefits for both instructors and students. Some of the key advantages include:

Real-World Experience: Students gained hands-on experience in real cloud environments without the risk of incurring costs from cloud service providers.
Enhanced Learning: The platform's randomized test scenarios ensured that each test attempt presented new challenges, promoting deeper learning and problem-solving skills.
Ease of Use for Instructors: Instructors could easily assign tests, monitor student progress, and provide targeted feedback based on detailed performance reports.
Adaptability: Brokee developed easier tests and specific focus areas based on feedback, ensuring that the platform met the varying skill levels of the students.
Collaborative Learning: Group testing sessions facilitated peer learning and collaboration, mimicking real-world team environments.
Automated Feedback: The platform provided automatic feedback and learning materials for students, helping them understand and improve on their mistakes.

Client Feedback

Broadus Palmer has been enthusiastic about Brokee, stating that it's "fantastic for what they do" and that he loves using the platform. He emphasized that Brokee significantly enhances the curriculum.

Students from Level Up in Tech have also shared positive feedback, describing Brokee’s tests as a "great experience," a "rewarding challenge," and noting that they "give you hands-on experience of what fixing a real-world deployment is like."

One student even continued a subscription with Brokee after completing the course to keep practicing with our live labs, highlighting the platform's value in preparing students for entry-level careers.

What's Next?

The partnership between Level Up in Tech and Brokee has proven to be highly beneficial. By integrating Brokee's platform into their curriculum, Level Up in Tech has enhanced the hands-on learning experience for their students, better preparing them for careers in cloud engineering.

Our ongoing collaboration with Level Up in Tech promises continued innovation, with plans to develop more specialized and advanced tests to further enhance DevOps learning for their students.

Meghan Neville 5/23/24 Meghan Neville 5/23/24

Platform Engineering vs DevOps: Understanding the Difference Between DevOps and Platform Engineer Roles

Explore the key differences between Platform Engineering and DevOps in software development. We'll explore how DevOps teams and Platform Engineers optimize operations and ensure reliability in modern software development.

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, the roles within software development and IT operations are continually adapting to meet the demands of modern businesses.

Two of the most prominent roles that often come up in discussions are DevOps and Platform Engineering. While these roles share some similarities, they are distinct in their focus, responsibilities, and the value they bring to an organization.

This article will explore the differences between DevOps and Platform Engineer roles, delve into their unique responsibilities, and highlight the benefits of integrating platform engineering within a DevOps environment.

What is DevOps and Platform Engineering?

Definition and Overview

DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) to shorten the development lifecycle and deliver high-quality software continuously. It emphasizes collaboration, communication, and integration between developers and IT operations professionals, aiming to automate and streamline the software delivery process.

Platform Engineering, on the other hand, involves building and maintaining the underlying infrastructure and tools that support the entire software development lifecycle. Platform engineers focus on creating scalable, reliable, and efficient platforms that development and operations teams can use to build, test, deploy, and monitor applications.

Main Responsibilities

DevOps Engineers typically focus on:

Automating software delivery and infrastructure changes
Implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines
Monitoring and maintaining system performance
Ensuring security and compliance
Facilitating collaboration between development and operations teams

Platform Engineers are responsible for:

Designing and maintaining the core infrastructure
Developing and managing internal tools and platforms
Implementing Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices
Ensuring system reliability and scalability
Providing support and guidance to development and operations teams

Key Differences Between DevOps and Platform Engineering

Team Structure and Collaboration

In a DevOps environment, the team structure is highly collaborative, with developers and operations working closely together throughout the software development lifecycle. This close collaboration aims to break down silos and foster a culture of shared responsibility for the success of the software.

Platform engineering teams, however, are often more specialized and may work somewhat independently from the development and operations teams. Their primary focus is on creating and maintaining the platforms and tools that these teams use, ensuring they have the infrastructure needed to work efficiently and effectively.

Focus Areas in Software Development

DevOps engineers primarily focus on the software development process, including code integration, testing, deployment, and monitoring. Their goal is to streamline and automate these processes to enable continuous delivery and quick feedback loops.

Platform engineers, on the other hand, concentrate on the broader infrastructure and tooling that support the software development lifecycle. This includes everything from cloud infrastructure and container orchestration to internal developer tools and services that make it easier for development and operations teams to do their jobs.

Infrastructure Management Approach

DevOps engineers often take a more hands-on approach to infrastructure management, leveraging tools like Terraform, Ansible, and Kubernetes to automate and manage infrastructure as part of the CI/CD pipeline. Their focus is on ensuring that the infrastructure can support continuous delivery and deployment processes.

Platform engineers take a broader view of infrastructure management, focusing on designing and maintaining robust, scalable, and reliable platforms. They implement best practices for infrastructure as code (IaC) and often work on building custom tools and solutions to meet the specific needs of their organization.

Benefits of Platform Engineering in DevOps Environment

Enhancing System Reliability

One of the primary benefits of integrating platform engineering into a DevOps environment is the enhanced reliability it brings to the system. Platform engineers focus on building resilient and scalable infrastructure, ensuring that the platforms used by development and operations teams are robust and can handle the demands of modern software development.

Implementing Continuous Integration and Deployment

Platform engineering plays a crucial role in supporting continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) practices. By developing and maintaining the tools and platforms that automate these processes, platform engineers enable DevOps teams to deploy code changes more frequently and with greater confidence. This leads to faster delivery times, improved software quality, and more efficient feedback loops.

Benefits of DevOps

The benefits of DevOps are numerous and can significantly impact an organization’s efficiency and software quality. Some of the key benefits include:

Faster Delivery Times: By automating and streamlining the software development lifecycle, DevOps practices enable quicker release cycles and more frequent updates, ensuring that new features and bug fixes reach users faster.
Improved Collaboration: DevOps fosters a culture of collaboration between development and operations teams, breaking down silos and promoting shared responsibility for the success of the software.
Higher Quality Software: Continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices ensure that code changes are tested and deployed quickly, reducing the risk of bugs and improving overall software quality.
Enhanced Security: DevOps practices integrate security into the development process, ensuring that security measures are implemented early and continuously throughout the lifecycle. A DevSecOps approach can extend this to integrate security early into the development process.
Greater Efficiency: Automation of repetitive tasks and infrastructure management frees up time for engineers to focus on more strategic work, improving overall efficiency.
Scalability and Reliability: By implementing robust infrastructure and monitoring practices, DevOps teams can ensure that systems are scalable and reliable, capable of handling increased loads and maintaining high performance.

Understanding the Role of a Platform Engineer

Development and Operations Team Collaboration

Platform engineers work closely with both development and operations teams to understand their needs and provide the tools and infrastructure necessary for them to succeed. This collaboration ensures that the platforms and tools developed are aligned with the requirements of the teams that use them, fostering a more efficient and effective software development lifecycle.

Implementing Infrastructure as Code Practices

Infrastructure as Code (IaC) is a key practice within platform engineering, allowing infrastructure to be managed and provisioned through code rather than manual processes. Platform engineers implement IaC practices to ensure that infrastructure is consistent, repeatable, and easily scalable. This approach not only improves efficiency but also reduces the risk of human error and enhances the overall reliability of the system.

DevOps Vs Platform Engineering: Which is Right for Your Career?

Which DevOps Career is Right for Me?

Deciding between a career in DevOps and platform engineering depends on your interests, skills, and career goals. If you enjoy working closely with both development and operations teams, focusing on automating processes, and improving the overall software development lifecycle, a career in DevOps might be the right fit for you.

DevOps roles require strong problem-solving skills, a deep understanding of CI/CD processes, and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.

On the other hand, if you have a passion for infrastructure, enjoy building and maintaining tools and platforms, and prefer a more specialized role focused on system reliability and scalability, platform engineering could be a better match.

Platform engineers need to have a strong background in infrastructure as code (IaC), cloud technologies, and system architecture, as well as the ability to work independently and provide support to other teams.

DevOps and Platform Engineer Salaries

When considering a career in DevOps or platform engineering, salary is an important factor. Generally, both roles offer competitive salaries, reflecting their critical importance in modern IT environments.

DevOps engineers typically command salaries that range from $90,000 to $140,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the specific technologies they work with. Senior DevOps roles, especially those involving leadership or extensive cloud experience, can reach upwards of $160,000.

Platform engineers, given their specialized focus on infrastructure and internal tooling, often have similar salary ranges. Entry-level platform engineers might start at around $80,000, but with experience, salaries can quickly rise to between $120,000 and $150,000. Senior platform engineers, particularly those with expertise in cloud architecture or large-scale system design, can earn $160,000 or more.

Platform Engineering vs DevOps: Which is Right for Your Team?

When You Need Platform Engineering and DevOps for Your Site

Deciding whether your team needs DevOps engineers, platform engineers, or both depends on your organization’s specific needs and goals.

If your primary objective is to improve the efficiency of your software development lifecycle, streamline deployments, and ensure quick feedback loops, DevOps engineers are essential. They will help automate processes, manage CI/CD pipelines, and foster a collaborative culture.

However, if your organization requires robust, scalable infrastructure and specialized tools to support the development and operations teams, platform engineers are crucial. They focus on building and maintaining the platforms that underpin your software development efforts, ensuring reliability and scalability.

In many cases, having both DevOps and platform engineers can provide the best of both worlds: streamlined software delivery and a strong, reliable infrastructure foundation.

How to Hire DevOps and Platform Engineers

Hiring DevOps and platform engineers involves looking for specific skills and experiences that match your organization’s needs. For DevOps engineers, key skills include:

Proficiency in CI/CD tools (e.g., Jenkins, GitLab CI)
Experience with configuration management tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
Knowledge of containerization and orchestration (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
Strong scripting and automation skills (e.g., Python, Bash)

For platform engineers, important skills include:

Expertise in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP)
Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g., Terraform, CloudFormation)
Experience with monitoring and logging tools (e.g., Prometheus, ELK stack)
Strong understanding of system architecture and scalability

In addition to technical skills, look for candidates who demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, and a collaborative mindset. To qualify candidates, we recommend using live DevOps Assessments to ensure you'll hire the right talent.

Other Roles for Your Team: Software Engineering, Site Reliability Engineering (SRE), and Developers

While DevOps and platform engineering are critical, other roles also play essential parts in a well-rounded IT team:

Software Engineers focus on designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. They work closely with DevOps and platform engineers to ensure their code integrates seamlessly with the infrastructure and deployment pipelines.

Site Reliability Engineers (SRE) bridge the gap between development and operations, much like DevOps engineers, but with a stronger emphasis on maintaining service reliability and performance. SREs use software engineering approaches to solve operational problems, often working with monitoring, alerting, and incident response systems.

Developers are primarily responsible for writing code and building features for applications. While they might not be directly involved in infrastructure management, their work is crucial for creating the software that DevOps and platform engineers deploy and support. There is a key ratio of DevOps to Developer ratio to consider for most teams as well.

Final Word

Understanding the differences between DevOps and Platform Engineering roles is crucial for organizations looking to optimize their software development and IT operations.

While DevOps engineers focus on automating and streamlining the software delivery process, platform engineers concentrate on building and maintaining the robust infrastructure and tools that support these processes.

By integrating platform engineering into a DevOps environment, organizations can achieve greater system reliability, faster delivery times, and a more efficient software development lifecycle.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between Platform Engineering and DevOps?

A: Platform Engineering focuses on building and maintaining the internal developer platform, while DevOps is more about the culture, tools, and practices that enable collaboration and automation in software development and deployment.

Q: How do DevOps tools differ from Platform Engineering tools?

A: DevOps tools like CI/CD pipelines are used to automate the software delivery process, while Platform Engineering tools are designed to create and manage the infrastructure that supports software systems.

Q: Can you give an example of a developer platform?

A: An internal developer platform could be a shared platform where software engineering teams can collaborate, manage and deliver software efficiently.

Q: How does Platform Engineering contribute to the developer experience?

A: Platform Engineering plays a key role in creating a smooth developer experience by providing the necessary tools and infrastructure for software development and deployment.

Q: What is the goal of Platform Engineering within an organization?

A: The goal of Platform Engineering is to build a platform that enables developers to focus on writing code and delivering software, without having to worry about the underlying infrastructure and operational aspects.

Q: How has DevOps evolved over time?

A: DevOps has evolved from the introduction of practices that promote collaboration between development and operations teams to a culture that emphasizes automation, continuous integration, and continuous delivery.

Q: Why is the concept of an internal developer platform important in the realm of software development?

A: An internal developer platform is crucial as it provides a shared platform where software engineering teams can work together efficiently, enabling them to deliver high-quality software at a faster pace.

Meghan Neville 5/15/24 Meghan Neville 5/15/24

Exploring the Key Differences Between SRE vs DevOps Engineers

Uncover the differences between SRE and DevOps engineers, their team roles, and how they collaborate for enhanced system reliability and software development.

In the evolving landscape of tech industry practices, understanding the distinctions between SRE (Site Reliability Engineering) and DevOps is crucial for organizations striving to enhance their software development and operational efficiencies.

While both methodologies aim to bridge gaps between development and operations, they embody distinct philosophies and practices that cater to specific organizational needs.

This article delves into the definitions, roles, responsibilities, and key differences between SRE and DevOps, providing a clear differentiation to help you select the right roles for your team.

What is the Difference Between SRE and DevOps?

Definition and Overview

SRE (Site Reliability Engineering) and DevOps are two distinct but interrelated approaches in the tech industry. While both aim to improve software development and operations, they have different focal points and methodologies.

SRE combines aspects of software engineering with operational tasks to enhance system reliability. On the other hand, DevOps is more focused on collaboration and communication between development and operations teams to streamline software delivery processes.

Key Responsibilities of SRE and DevOps Engineers

SRE teams primarily concentrate on ensuring the reliability and performance of systems by implementing automation and monitoring tools. In contrast, DevOps engineers focus on continuous integration and delivery, aiming to accelerate the development cycle and improve deployment frequency.

Main Differences in Job Roles of SRE and DevOps

SRE teams often operate as a specialized group within an organization, focusing on system reliability. DevOps, however, emphasizes a cross-functional approach, with team members from development, operations, and sometimes security working together towards common goals.

Role and Responsibilities of SRE vs DevOps Engineers

Difference Between DevOps and SRE in Software Development

SRE engineers typically have a stronger background in software development and are skilled in coding and automation. On the other hand, DevOps engineers are proficient in a wide range of tools and technologies, facilitating collaboration between different teams.

SRE engineers integrate more deeply with development teams, focusing on long-term code stability and reliability from a software engineering perspective. This involves extensive code reviews and implementing automated testing frameworks that are robust and scalable.

In contrast, DevOps engineers might not always delve as deep into code but rather focus on the processes and practices that support both development and operations teams. They work to improve the collaboration and communication within and across teams to ensure smooth and efficient deployment cycles. This often involves setting up and maintaining CI/CD pipelines that facilitate quick iterations and frequent deployments, which are crucial for agile development environments.

Tool Utilization in SRE and DevOps

SRE teams heavily rely on automation tools and monitoring systems to maintain system reliability. In contrast, DevOps engineers utilize various tools for configuration management, deployment, and orchestration to enhance collaboration and efficiency.

For SREs, tools like Prometheus for monitoring and alerting and Ansible for configuration management are often critical, as they help maintain and improve the reliability and robustness of services.

DevOps teams, meanwhile, might leverage tools like Jenkins for continuous integration and Kubernetes for orchestration to streamline and optimize the development pipeline. The choice of tools in DevOps is directed towards enhancing speed and efficiency in building, testing, and deploying applications, ensuring that the entire process is as seamless as possible.

How Do SRE and DevOps Teams Differ?

Automation and Structuring Practices

SRE teams tend to prioritize automating repetitive tasks to ensure system stability. DevOps teams, on the other hand, focus on automating the entire software delivery pipeline, from development to production.

This focus enables SREs to maintain high service levels through robust automation and monitoring, while DevOps aims to reduce lead time and increase the frequency of deployments, promoting a faster cycle of feedback and improvement.

While SREs might focus on automation that directly impacts reliability and system stability, DevOps approaches automation as a means to facilitate and enhance collaboration between development, QA, and operations.

This broadens the scope of automation beyond mere system uptime to include aspects like automated testing, deployment strategies, and rollback mechanisms that ensure continuous service delivery and quality.

Deployment and Operations Management

SRE teams are more involved in managing production deployments and ensuring system reliability. DevOps teams have a broader scope, managing both deployment processes and overall operational efficiency. This broader scope allows DevOps to have a significant impact on the organization's ability to respond to market changes and deploy new features rapidly, without sacrificing operational performance.

Additionally, while SREs often focus on the technical details and operational aspects of system stability, DevOps engineers strive to optimize the deployment process itself. This includes improving deployment frequency, reducing deployment failures, and shortening the lead time between fixes. By managing and refining these processes, DevOps teams help organizations achieve higher operational agility and responsiveness to business needs.

Exploring the Similarities Between SRE and DevOps

Shared Responsibility for DevSecOps

Both SRE and DevOps teams share responsibility for integrating security practices into the software development lifecycle, leading to the concept of DevSecOps. This shared focus ensures that security considerations are not an afterthought but are integrated throughout the development, deployment, and maintenance phases.

Skillsets in Development and Operations

SRE and DevOps engineers both possess a hybrid skillset that spans development and operational disciplines. This enables them to effectively manage code releases and operational stability, making them invaluable for maintaining high system availability and performance.

Their ability to navigate both coding and system operations helps reduce silos within tech departments, fostering a more unified approach to tackling software challenges.

Common Goals in Software Development

Despite their differences, both SRE and DevOps teams aim to enhance software development processes, improve system reliability, and increase operational efficiency through collaborative efforts.

These common objectives underscore the importance of both roles in modern IT infrastructure and the need for continuous improvement and adaptation in technology practices.

DevOps Tool Usage

Both disciplines heavily rely on a suite of tools designed to automate processes, enhance communication, and streamline operations. Tools such as Jenkins for continuous integration, Docker for containerization, and Kubernetes for orchestration are integral to both SRE and DevOps practices.

The selection of tools is often dictated by the specific needs of the project and the existing infrastructure, highlighting the adaptable and dynamic nature of both fields.

Key Differences Between SRE vs DevOps Culture

Emphasizing Site Reliability in SRE

SRE teams prioritize system reliability and performance, focusing on maintaining service uptime and ensuring seamless operations.

DevOps Focus on Full Automation

DevOps culture revolves around full automation of software development processes, from code integration and testing to deployment and monitoring, aiming to streamline workflows and increase efficiency.

Recognizing the nuanced differences between SRE and DevOps is essential for companies looking to optimize their software delivery and system reliability.

Response to Incidents

SRE teams often adopt a more proactive approach to incident management, employing robust post-mortem analyses and implementing preventative measures to mitigate future disruptions. In contrast, DevOps teams may focus more on rapid response and recovery to ensure continuous operation and delivery.

Organizational Impact

SRE typically functions as a distinct entity within the organization with a clear mandate to maintain service reliability above all else. DevOps, however, is more about embedding a collaborative culture across all teams involved in the development and operational lifecycle, promoting agility and quicker adaptations to change.

Distinguishing SRE and DevOps Engineers from Platform Engineers

Now that we understand the role of SRE and DevOps roles, let's expand the team roles farther and consider another role that is often confused with DevOps and SRE: Platform Engineers.

Similarities Between SRE, DevOps, and Platform Engineers

Platform Engineers are primarily responsible for developing and maintaining the underlying platforms that support software applications. This includes designing the infrastructure architecture, building and maintaining cloud environments, and ensuring the platforms can efficiently scale according to the application’s needs.

Differences Between SRE, DevOps, and Platform Engineers

While SREs and DevOps engineers often work within the frameworks and platforms set by Platform Engineers, their focus extends to optimizing existing systems and processes for better reliability and efficiency in software deployment. Platform Engineers, on the other hand, delve deeper into the technical specifics of infrastructure and platform services, providing a robust foundation upon which both SRE and DevOps strategies are implemented.

This separation of concerns allows Platform Engineers to concentrate on infrastructure as a product, enhancing the tools and systems that SRE and DevOps teams utilize to achieve their goals.

Site Reliability vs Platform Engineering Focus

SRE teams concentrate on ensuring the reliability and performance of systems, focusing on uptime, latency, and error rates. DevOps engineers, on the other hand, are more concerned with overall system efficiency and optimizing development workflows. SREs are tasked with setting strict service level objectives (SLOs) and implementing policies that minimize downtime and performance degradation.

Furthermore, while SRE focuses on service stability and the technical aspects of system performance, DevOps addresses broader organizational challenges. This includes fostering a culture that eliminates silos between developers and operators, promoting a more integrated and proactive approach to handling system issues and enhancements.

man sitting on chair wearing gray crew-neck long-sleeved shirt using Apple Magic Keyboard

Hiring DevOps and Site Reliability Engineers for Your Team

Whether your organization needs a more robust focus on system uptime and reliability or seeks to enhance collaboration across development and operational teams, understanding these roles can significantly impact your operational success.

At Brokee, we specialize in qualifying DevOps, SRE, and Platform engineers through our interactive assessments, ensuring that your team is equipped with top-tier professionals adept in modern technological demands.

Connect with us today to see how we can assist in elevating your team's capabilities and achieving your technical objectives.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between SRE and DevOps engineers?

A: The primary difference lies in their focus and responsibilities. SRE (Site Reliability Engineering) focuses on ensuring system reliability and availability, while DevOps engineers focus on collaboration between development and operations teams to speed up software delivery.

Q: How do DevOps and SRE teams work together?

A: DevOps and SRE teams collaborate to ensure seamless software development and deployment processes. They share common goals like reliability, scalability, and efficiency, working together to achieve these objectives.

Q: What are the similarities between SRE and DevOps?

A: Both SRE and DevOps teams emphasize collaboration between development and operations, aim to improve software development and deployment processes, and focus on system reliability and performance.

Q: What is the role of a DevOps engineer?

A: A DevOps engineer is responsible for implementing and maintaining DevOps practices, tools, and processes that facilitate collaboration between development and operations teams, ensuring a smooth software delivery pipeline.

Q: How do DevOps and SRE roles contribute to operations teams?

A: DevOps teams are responsible for breaking down silos between development and operations, focusing on the development, deployment, and maintenance of software in production environments. SRE teams aim to ensure system reliability, availability, and performance by implementing best practices and monitoring systems closely.

Q: What are some major differences between SRE and DevOps?

A: One major difference is that DevOps focuses on the entire software development lifecycle, from coding to deployment, while SRE focuses more on system reliability and performance. Another key difference is the specific roles within the operations team that each discipline fulfills.

Q: How do DevOps tools and practices differ from traditional development and operations approaches?

A: DevOps tools and practices emphasize automation, collaboration, and integration across the software development and deployment lifecycle, aiming to improve efficiency, reliability, and scalability compared to traditional approaches.

Meghan Neville 5/2/24 Meghan Neville 5/2/24

Understanding the Key Differences Between DevOps vs DevSecOps

Explore the key differences between DevOps and DevSecOps to understand how security integration transforms software development. Discover whether DevOps vs DevSecOps is right for your team.

You may hear the terms "DevOps" and "DevSecOps" and wonder: Are these the same thing? What is the difference? and Which is Better?

Understanding the key differences between DevOps and DevSecOps is essential for navigating today's software development landscape.

In this article, we will focus on what's the difference between DevOps and DevSecOps, how to navigate selecting which is better, and what team composition for each will look like.

Defining DevOps and DevSecOps

DevOps is a software development approach focused on collaboration between Development (Dev) and Operations (Ops) teams throughout the software development lifecycle.

On the other hand, DevSecOps extends DevOps by integrating security practices early in the development process to ensure secure software delivery. DevOps emphasizes fast and frequent delivery of software updates, while DevSecOps incorporates security checks at every stage to address vulnerabilities proactively.

What is the Meaning of DevOps?

DevOps, a combination of "Development" and "Operations," is a set of practices that integrates software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops). It aims to shorten the software development lifecycle and deliver features, fixes, and updates more frequently in close alignment with business objectives.

Key features of DevOps include:

Collaboration: Breaking down silos between development and operations teams to improve communication and collaboration.
Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Automating the process of building, testing, and deploying code to reduce the time it takes to get changes into production.
Automation: Leveraging tools and scripts to automate repetitive tasks, such as testing, building, and deploying software.
Monitoring and Logging: Continuously monitoring systems and applications to detect issues early and ensure performance and reliability.
Agility and Speed: Reducing the time from development to deployment to respond quickly to market demands and changes.

By implementing DevOps practices, organizations aim to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and deliver high-quality software more rapidly.

What is the Meaning of DevSecOps?

DevSecOps, short for Development, Security, and Operations, is an approach that integrates security practices into the DevOps workflow. This methodology aims to address security challenges early in the software development lifecycle, instead of treating them as an afterthought.

By incorporating security measures throughout the development and operational phases, DevSecOps seeks to deliver secure software more quickly and efficiently.

The primary goals of DevSecOps are:

Automating Security: Embedding security checks and controls into automated processes like CI/CD pipelines to ensure consistent application of security policies.
Shift-Left Security: Implementing security practices early in the development process to identify and fix vulnerabilities before they become significant issues.
Collaboration: Encouraging collaboration between development, security, and operations teams to create a shared responsibility for security.
Continuous Monitoring and Testing: Regularly assessing code and infrastructure for vulnerabilities and compliance through automated tests and scans.

By aligning development, security, and operations, DevSecOps ensures that applications are delivered quickly without compromising security.

Key Variances in the Approaches

One of the main differences between DevOps and DevSecOps is the inclusion of security as an integral part of the development process in DevSecOps.

DevOps focuses on collaboration and communication between different teams, and DevSecOps integrates security into every phase of development. DevOps aims for continuous delivery and automation in the software development pipeline, while DevSecOps adds security measures like dynamic application security testing (DAST) and static application security testing (SAST) to ensure secure code deployment.

Integrating Security Into the Development Lifecycle

DevSecOps requires a shift-left approach where security is considered from the initial stages of development. By incorporating security practices in the early stages, vulnerabilities can be identified and mitigated before deployment, leading to a more secure software development process.

For DevSecOps, the integration of security tools and practices in the development lifecycle ensures that security is not an afterthought but an essential component of the software development process.

How Does Security Play a Role in DevOps vs DevSecOps?

Importance of Security Practices in DevOps

In DevOps, security practices often come into play during the later stages of development or even post-deployment. While security is essential, it may not be prioritized as much as speed and efficiency in the delivery process, leading to potential vulnerabilities.

Incorporating security early in the development stages ensures that security practices are not overlooked, enhancing the overall security posture of the software being developed.

Security Practices Within the DevSecOps Model

DevSecOps, on the other hand, places security at the forefront by automating security testing, implementing secure coding practices, and continuously monitoring for vulnerabilities.

This proactive approach ensures that security is ingrained in every aspect of the software development lifecycle.

By incorporating security practices within the DevSecOps model, organizations can build a strong security foundation and mitigate risks effectively throughout the development process.

Incorporating Application Security in Both Methodologies

Both DevOps and DevSecOps recognize the importance of application security. However, while DevOps may focus more on speed and agility in software delivery, DevSecOps emphasizes the importance of secure coding practices, regular security testing, and monitoring to address security concerns proactively.

In DevSecOps, application security is integrated seamlessly into the development lifecycle to ensure that security is not an afterthought but a continuous priority in software development.

What are the Differences in Team Structure and Workflow Between DevOps and DevSecOps?

Team Collaboration in DevOps vs DevSecOps

DevOps teams typically consist of developers, DevOps and cloud engineers, and quality assurance professionals working together to streamline the software development process.

In contrast, DevSecOps teams have security professionals integrated throughout the development pipeline to ensure that security measures are implemented from the outset.

The collaboration between different teams in DevSecOps ensures that security considerations are addressed at every stage of the software development process, leading to more secure and resilient applications.

Workflow Differences in the Software Development Process

DevOps workflows focus on continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices to deliver software updates rapidly, often using agile practices.

In contrast, DevSecOps workflows incorporate security checkpoints along the development pipeline to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities before deployment.

Aligning workflow processes with security practices can help DevSecOps teams ensure that security issues are not bottlenecks but a seamless part of the software development lifecycle.

Implementing Security in the Development Lifecycle

In DevOps, security is often seen as a checkpoint rather than an embedded practice in the development lifecycle. This can lead to potential security gaps and vulnerabilities that may go unnoticed until later stages of development.

By implementing security practices within the development lifecycle in DevSecOps, organizations can proactively address security concerns, reduce risks, and deliver more secure software solutions to end-users.

How to Transition From DevOps to DevSecOps?

Can DevSecOps Replace DevOps?

DevSecOps is not designed to replace DevOps but rather to enhance and extend its principles by integrating security into every stage of the development and operations process.

While DevOps emphasizes collaboration between development and operations teams to achieve faster and more reliable software delivery, DevSecOps adds a crucial focus on security.

Here’s why DevSecOps complements rather than replaces DevOps:

Security Integration: DevSecOps ensures that security is not an afterthought but a fundamental part of the development lifecycle. This inclusion helps identify and address vulnerabilities early.
Maintaining Speed and Agility: The core principles of DevOps, such as speed, collaboration, and automation, remain intact in DevSecOps. The added security processes are designed to minimize disruption to development workflows.
Shared Responsibility: DevSecOps encourages shared responsibility for security across development, operations, and security teams, fostering a culture of collaboration similar to DevOps.

Steps to Integrate Security Into the DevOps Model

Transitioning from DevOps to DevSecOps involves incorporating security practices early in the development process, automating security testing, and fostering a culture of security awareness among team members.

By gradually integrating security measures into existing DevOps workflows, organizations can transition seamlessly to a DevSecOps model.

Expanding on the steps to integrate security into the DevOps model, organizations can leverage automation tools for security testing, implement secure coding practices, and conduct regular security assessments to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities effectively.

Challenges Faced During the Transition Process

One of the key challenges in transitioning from DevOps to DevSecOps is the cultural shift required to prioritize security alongside speed and efficiency.

Teams may face resistance to change, lack of security expertise, or difficulties in aligning security practices with existing workflows.

Overcoming these challenges involves promoting security awareness, providing training on secure coding practices, and fostering collaboration between development, operations, and security teams to ensure a smooth transition to DevSecOps.

Adopting Automation Tools for Security Testing

Automation plays a crucial role in DevSecOps by enabling continuous security testing, vulnerability assessments, and compliance checks throughout the development lifecycle.

By adopting automation tools like static analysis security testing (SAST) and dynamic application security testing (DAST), organizations can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of security practices in DevSecOps.

Expanding on the adoption of automation tools for security testing, organizations can streamline security processes, identify vulnerabilities in real-time, and ensure consistent security standards across all stages of software development.

Final Word

With the knowledge of DevOps vs DevSecOps, and understanding which is better for your process, you should feel more confident on selecting DevOps and DevSecOps engineers.

By gradually integrating security into the DevOps model through automation, training, and collaboration, organizations can better protect their software and deliver secure, reliable applications.

If you are looking to make the technical hiring process easier, Brokee has several DevOps and DevSecOps assessments that will help you determine whether a candidate is skilled enough to help you improve your DevOps or DevSecOps process. Try our tests for free today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Difference Between DevOps and DevSecOps?

A: DevOps focuses on the collaboration between development and operations teams to automate and streamline the software delivery process, while DevSecOps incorporates security practices into each stage of the development lifecycle.

Q: How does DevSecOps Differ from Traditional DevOps?

A: DevSecOps also integrates security practices throughout the software development lifecycle, whereas traditional DevOps primarily focuses on the collaboration between development and operations teams.

Q: Is DevSecOps Better than DevOps?

This depends on the organization's needs:

Security Requirements: If your organization operates in a highly regulated industry or handles sensitive data, DevSecOps could be essential. It ensures that security measures are an integral part of the development process rather than an afterthought.
Application Complexity: For simple applications with minimal security risks, traditional DevOps might suffice. However, for complex, distributed applications, embedding security into every stage of development through DevSecOps can help mitigate risks effectively.
Cultural Readiness: DevSecOps requires a cultural shift where security is a shared responsibility. If your team is prepared for this shift, it can be beneficial. Otherwise, starting with DevOps Engineers and gradually integrating security practices might be a better approach.

Q: What Stage of the Development Lifecycle does DevSecOps take place?

A: DevSecOps takes place at every stage of the development lifecycle, from planning and coding to testing and deployment. This is also true for DevOps.

Q: How do I Choose Between DevOps and DevSecOps for my Business?

A: The choice between DevOps and DevSecOps depends on the organization's priorities, level of security awareness, and the importance placed on integrating security practices into the development process.

Meghan Neville 3/28/24 Meghan Neville 3/28/24

Prepare DevOps Students for the Real World with Brokee

Today's DevOps educational programs are under increasing pressure to ensure that students are job-ready upon course completion.

Brokee's training platform can offer the real-world experience needed for students to excel in their DevOps careers.

In the rapidly evolving field of DevOps, the gap between educational theory and practical, real-world experience is a significant hurdle for both educators and students. Today's educational programs are under increasing pressure to ensure that students are job-ready upon course completion.

The success of a course is often measured by the ability of students to secure employment, which increasingly depends on their hands-on experience with the tools and practices they will encounter in their careers, not just certifications or classroom hours.

Enter Brokee, a comprehensive training and testing platform designed to bridge this gap. Brokee offers real-world experience across the spectrum of DevOps practices, from basic to advanced levels, covering all major cloud providers. It's not just a training tool; it ensures students are prepared for the real challenges of technical interviews and a DevOps career.

Common Pain Points in DevOps Education

We've talked to educational leaders and learned there are many challenges when it comes to teaching DevOps and Cloud to students. These are some of the biggest pain points we've discovered and have addressed with Brokee:

Unprepared Students for the Real World

Many educational programs struggle to provide students with the practical experience necessary for today's tech jobs. Traditional learning models often fall short in preparing students for the complexities and rapid changes in the DevOps sector.

Lack of Practice Environments

Without a platform like Brokee, educators are faced with the daunting task of creating relevant, current, and unbiased projects. The logistical challenges of setting up diverse cloud environments and ensuring all projects are up-to-date add to this burden.

3. Providing Accurate Feedback

Traditional methods of assessment and feedback often don't meet the needs of DevOps education, where detailed, specific guidance is crucial. Students want to learn how to improve, and instructors can be challenged to present feedback in a constructive and clear way.

Ensuring Integrity

Ensuring the academic integrity of remote and hands-on tests presents its own set of challenges. Anti-cheating measures are especially tough for remote educators who teach in virtual classrooms, where it's tough to keep an eye on students.

Scalability Challenges

Scaling educational content to fit class sizes while maintaining consistency across different learning environments is a significant challenge, exacerbated by the rise of remote learning.

Benefits of Brokee for DevOps Education

We've created a platform full of features that help educators ensure students are ready for their careers in DevOps. These are some of the biggest advantages we hear from educators who use Brokee:

Real-World Environment Access

At the heart of Brokee's value proposition is our ability to provide unparalleled access to real-world DevOps environments. This feature enables students to immerse themselves in hands-on experience with the technologies and practices they'll likely encounter in their careers.

By navigating actual cloud platforms, managing containers, and troubleshooting real-time issues, learners gain a depth of understanding and confidence that classroom learning alone cannot provide.

Curriculum Integration

Brokee's design facilitates seamless integration into existing curriculums, enriching traditional educational content with interactive, live testing labs. We've made it so Brokee enhances the learning experience and ensures that students are engaging with material that reflects the latest industry standards and practices.

Educators can incorporate Brokee's labs into their lesson plans, making the leap from theory to practice both smooth and natural.

Scalability and Ease of Use

Understanding the diverse needs of educational programs, Brokee addresses challenges related to scalability and accessibility head-on. Our platform is built to ensure that every student, regardless of the class size or their individual learning environment, has equal access to its resources.

We pride ourselves on an extremely user-friendly interface, making it easy for both students and educators to navigate its comprehensive suite of tools.

Continuous Update Cycle

DevOps is a field characterized by rapid evolution, and Brokee’s commitment to a continuous update cycle ensures that its labs will always reflect the current landscape of the industry. Since Brokee is built by DevOps experts and engineers with deep field experience, our platform keeps educational programs relevant and prepares students for the quickly evolving realities of a career in technology.

Automated Feedback and AI Summaries

Brokee's automated feedback mechanisms provide immediate, actionable insights into student performance, using AI to generate summaries that explain what students did correctly and where they need improvement. This feature is invaluable for educators who seek to provide personalized guidance to each student, ensuring that learning is both effective and targeted.

Anti-Cheating Measures

Addressing concerns about academic integrity, Brokee incorporates advanced anti-cheating measures that reflect the realities of modern DevOps work. By promoting the use of legitimate resources and tools within its testing framework, Brokee prepares students for the collaborative, resourceful nature of tech careers.

Additionally, the platform's ability to randomize test problems ensures a fair, challenging learning experience for all users.

Brokee: Use Cases in Education

Enhanced Learning With Live Labs

Educators often spend countless hours creating, managing, and scoring take-home work and labs, but with Brokee, they can instantly deploy real-world, pre-configured scenarios. This not only saves valuable time but also ensures that students are exposed to a variety of unique, randomized problems that mimic actual DevOps challenges.

The result is a more efficient, engaging, and effective educational process where students gain practical skills ready for the workforce, and educators can focus more on teaching and less on administrative tasks.

Ideal for Remote Learning

Brokee is a perfect tool for both testing and labs in remote learning settings. Educators can see how students are applying lessons in live environments, using playback features, history of commands, and final results.

The platform is also perfect for virtual labs, where instructors can lead students through each part of common DevOps scenarios: troubleshooting cloud infrastructure, operating and automating multiple servers in complex environments, managing containers, and more.

Collaborative Problem-Solving Sessions

Brokee allows educators to create live environments for group learning. Imagine a classroom where, instead of hypothetical scenarios, students are grouped into teams to navigate real-time challenges presented by Brokee. The teacher acts not just as an instructor, but as a guide, steering students through complex problem-solving processes.

This practical application fosters a deeper understanding of DevOps principles and enhances teamwork skills, preparing students for the collaborative nature of the tech industry.

Large-Scale Exams

Traditional exams often fail to fully assess a student’s ability to handle real-world tech problems. Brokee changes the game by supporting mass examinations where hundreds of students can undertake tests simultaneously, each facing unique, randomized problems that mimic actual DevOps challenges.

This not only levels the playing field by providing every student with a distinct set of tasks but also enables institutions to efficiently gauge the practical skills of a large cohort, ensuring that their graduates are truly ready for the workforce.

Try a Free Demo!

We invite educators and industry professionals alike to experience Brokee firsthand. Discover how our platform can revolutionize your approach to DevOps training, from basic operations in Linux servers to managing complex cloud environments. With Brokee, you get not just a tool, but a partner in education and training.

Our flexible pricing, test-credits system, and inclusive access for team evaluations ensure that our platform adapts to your specific needs. Don’t take our word for it; contact us for a free demo and see for yourself how we can tailor our offerings to best support your goals.

Prepare the Next Generation of DevOps Students for Success

The importance of hands-on, practical experience cannot be overstated. Help equip your students with the practical experience they need to get hired in a DevOps role they enjoy.

Brokee stands ready to prepare the next generation of DevOps professionals for the challenges ahead, ensuring they are not just educated, but truly job-ready. Explore Brokee and take the first step towards transforming your approach to DevOps education and training.

Meghan Neville 3/22/24 Meghan Neville 3/22/24

The Top 10 DevOps and Cloud Conferences to Attend in 2024

Whether you're aiming to advance your knowledge or connect with industry leaders, mark your calendar for these must-attend DevOps and cloud conferences.

In an era where the DevOps and cloud computing landscapes are rapidly evolving, staying ahead with the latest trends, technologies, and practices is essential.

Whether you are an engineer looking to gain experience, a recruiter seeking tech talent, or a business leader wanting to expand your company’s DevOps capabilities, DevOps conferences are pivotal, offering rich opportunities for networking, innovation, and education.

What are the Best DevOps Conferences to go to in 2024?

Choosing the Best DevOps Conferences for 2024 can be a daunting task, given the factors to consider: the quality of content and speakers, the event's reputation and history, and the cost required to attend.

Recognizing that different conferences may cater more effectively to specific audiences—be it DevOps engineers, technical recruiters, or business leaders—we've tried to include events across a spectrum of price points and technical levels. This approach aims to ensure that every DevOps professional can find an event that aligns perfectly with their objectives and budgetary constraints.

The conferences we’ve highlighted in our selection stand out due to their exceptional quality, legacy, and diverse cost structures. So, buy your tickets, mark the dates on your calendar, and prepare to embark on an enlightening journey through the best DevOps events of 2024!

PowerShell + DevOps Global Summit

When & Where:

Dates: April 8-11

Location: Bellevue, WA, U.S.A.

Price:

Price:

Details to be announced.

Why attend?

AGILE + DEVOPS 2024 consolidates insights from the Agile and DevOps communities, offering a comprehensive exploration of methodologies that enhance software delivery and operational efficiency. Participants will benefit from expert-led sessions, practical workshops, and networking opportunities with industry leaders.

DevOpsDays 2024 Series

Why Attend DevOps Days 2024?

DevOpsDays is a renowned series for its community-driven approach, covering software development, IT infrastructure operations, and their nexus. Each event offers a blend of curated talks and space for open discussion on topics like automation, testing, security, and organizational culture.

2024 Locations & Dates:

DevOpsDays Raleigh, NC: Apr 10-11

DevOpsDays Austin, TX: May 2-3

DevOpsDays Seattle, WA & Philadelphia, PA: May 14-15

DevOpsDays Kansas City, MO: May 15-16

DevOpsDays Baltimore, MD: May 21-22

DevOpsDays Houston, TX: Jun 4-5

DevOpsDays Nashville, TN: Jul 10-11

DevOpsDays Minneapolis, MN: Aug 6-7

DevOpsDays Birmingham, AL: Aug 19-21

DevOpsDays Denver, CO: Sep 16-17

DevOpsDays Tampa Bay, FL: Sep 19

DevOpsDays Washington, D.C.: Sep 25-26

DevOpsDays Dallas, TX: Oct 9-10

DevOpsDays Des Moines, IA: Oct 10-11

DevOpsDays Salt Lake City, UT: Oct 17-18

Prices:

Ranging from $100-250

Will We See You at Upcoming DevOps Conferences in 2024?

Attending one of these exceptional conferences offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the latest ideas in DevOps and cloud computing. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of specific technologies, explore strategic insights, or network with industry leaders, these events promise to propel your professional journey forward.

Mark your calendars for these top DevOps conferences, cloud computing conferences, and cybersecurity conferences in 2024, and take a significant step toward leading in the tech domain. We hope to see you there!